What is NAUIs position on lowering the minimum age for scuba certification?
: We have reviewed the reasons that twelve was established as a minimum age and find that there is no reliable data or information by which to consider lowering it at this time. In the majority of juveniles, significant skeletal growth is ending just prior to age twelve. Recent studies have shown that there is a second phase of brain growth that occurs in ten to twelve year olds. These growth phases could be compromised by hyperbaric exposures and no one promoting lowering the age limit can demonstrate that there is no increased risk to children. Arbitrarily lowering the age limit, without any evidence and no better reason other than “to promote the sport” is in our opinion unconscionable. We do not agree that it is appropriate to certify this population as scuba divers and will not be changing the minimum age prerequisite for NAUI Worldwide scuba training and certification. The following is an excerpt from a “Medical Answers” column published in Sources: The Journal of Underwater Educ
